EDUCATION
In this section, you will find many different subjects to learn about from various tutorials that helps students, to the basics of computers to coding to learning languages and different skill building resources.
SKILL BUILDING
Google Applied Digital Skills is a collection of lessons that will show you how to study, learn, teach, work, prepare for a job, or explore culture online.
Hoopla is a digital media service offered by the local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! Titles can be streamed immediately or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later.
TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages."
Common Sense Education provides access to free learning plans for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Resources for family members and teachers to help the students. Spanish language learning plans and family resources.
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Schools everywhere trust the free digital citizenship curriculum and edtech ratings. Educators get access to lesson plans, edtech ratings, tools, and more.
WGBH and PBS have made resources available by grade level and subject area to support parents with distance learning. Resources are available for infants, toddlers, and children in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Northstar Digital Literacy (NDL) measures the digital literacy of people. NDL helps people develop digital skills needed for daily life, employment, and higher education. NDL helps those who lack digital literacy and even those seeking employment by helping them build computer skills.
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe.
LIBRARIES
The Boston Public Library (BPL) eCard provides immediate and free access to all online resources such as E-Media (e-books, audiobooks, movies, etc.), online learning, and research materials. This is available to all full-time/part-time residence and those that work within Massachusetts.
Boston Public Library Nice Academy provides short tutorials for using websites and other library resources. Here are instructions for how to find and go through tutorials on the my.nicheacademy.com/bostonpublic website.
Discover a world of knowledge without ever leaving Cambridge by visiting the Cambridge Public Library! In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to get a library card, learn about special events, and use the eLibrary system.
For families & students in Chelsea Public Schools to access useful links, afterschool opportunities, and educational websites!
LANGUAGE
LanguagePod101 is a website where you can learn different languages. The following tutorial provides directions for setting up an account to learn English.
Note: The directions are to sign up for a free account. A free account will give you access to many lessons, but not all. When you sign up you will get a 7-day free trial of premium access. If you do not upgrade after the 7 days have ended, you will still have access to some free lessons. At no point during this tutorial will you need to provide credit card information.
Duolingo is a fun and addictive way to learn a new language (including English for non-native speakers), completely for free! Earn points for correct answers, race against the clock, and level up. Many users will learn with Duolingo on their smartphone, tablet, or on the computer
Grammarly provides a free tool that checks the spelling and grammar of a document. The directions below describe how to sign up for an account and how to use Grammarly through the website. For Grammarly, it is best if you use Google Chrome.
Mango Languages is a website and phone app that helps you learn to read and speak many languages such as Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Hindi, and more. You can get it for free by signing up with your Boston Public Library (BPL) card.
CODING
Curious about coding? What about programming? Want to be able to make your own apps for your phone and other mobile devices? Code.org is the place for you! This site offers great tutorials on how to learn basic coding. Have some fun and let us know what you come up with!
Resilient Coders is an organization dedicated to training people of color for careers as software engineers and connecting them with job. This tutorial will show you how to apply for their coding bootcamp.
Gain access to video courses in business, software, technology, and creative skills and
expert teachers with your Boston Public Library card.
GCFLearnfree.org is a free educational website that provides online training to help you develop work and life skills. There are over 300 topics to choose from including many popular digital tools such as Microsoft Office, GMail, Internet Basics, as well as Reading, Math, Work and Career, and many more. The courses are self-paced so you can go at your own speed and set your own schedule.
K-12
RAZ Kids is a reading resource for children. RAZ Kids helps children learn to read by reading to them, letting them read on their own, and checking for their reading comprehension by quizzing them. RAZ Kids also has a prize system to encourage children to read and learn more.
English
Looking for your child's school bus? You can now find a map of where it is! Check out https://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org. There you can find your child's bus and even track it as it moves throughout the city. No more wondering on snowy days where the bus is!
English
For families & students in Chelsea Public Schools to access useful links, afterschool opportunities, and educational websites!
PBS Kids for Parents provides online learning activities for kids that help with math, science, reading, and more.
English
The Boston School Finder website allows families to get information on all Boston schools in one site. Answer a few questions about what you need or want, and Boston School Finder will provide you with a list of the schools that best fit your family.
"Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology." This tutorial will help you explore the site.
Navigate social distancing and school closures with quality media and at-home learning opportunities for your kids. Includes Understanding COVID-19 news coverage, How to stay calm for yourself and your kids, Learning at home and homework help, What to watch, read, and play.
Recursos educativos sobre la vida digital. La educación es la llave para abrir más puertas y oportunidades. Las familias latinas están conscientes y están tomando un rol cada vez más activo en la educación de sus hijos. En esta sección encontrarás dos juegos interactivos gratuitos, consejos sobre tecnología y un programa entero llamado 'Conectando Familias' que puedes usar con otros padres en las escuelas de tus hijos.
COLLEGE
The College Board is driven by a single goal — to ensure that every student has the opportunity to prepare for, enroll in and graduate from college.” This tutorial will show you have to use CollegeBoard’s site to find the perfect school and hopefully ways to help pay for it! Don’t forget, going to college isn’t just for kids!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education.
Lots of states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid—and how much they’ll get. The FAFSA asks for information about you and your family’s finances, including tax returns, so you’ll need your parents’ help to complete it.
GED/HIST
Bridgeotw.org | 617 423 9575
Bridge Over Troubled Water's Education and Career Development staff helps youth earn their high school certificate, start college, learn job skills, and establish meaningful careers. They provide classes to prepare youth to earn their alternative high-school degree on a flexible schedule with small class sizes, and rolling admission that enables youth to enroll at any time
Esacboston.org/eyoc | Contact: Lakia Cherry, lcherry@esacboston.org |
(617) 524-2555 ex. 109
ESAC assists youth with earning the HiSet (formerly GED) diploma and access to college. During sessions, students learn the HISET core competencies of English Language Arts – reading and writing, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
X-celeducation.org | 617 522 2590
X-Cel's HiSET Prep program supports individuals preparing for the HiSET with math, reading, writing, social studies and science instruction. Their HiSET classes integrate college and career-readiness skills into instruction. Enrollment in HiSET Prep requires sixth grade reading abilities and students must be at least 18 years old. Admissions are rolling with no waiting lists.
Ndecboston.org | Contact: Leslie Feeney, lfeeney@ndecboston.org |
(617) 268-1912 ex. 5
No Cost Test Preparation - Students gain knowledge in math, social studies, science, reading and writing as required for testing success. However, significant emphasis is placed on unpacking the test and developing academic confidence through practice testing and building test taking strategy. Additionally, students receive one to one support in registering for and scheduling tests.
Somerville.k12.ma.us | Contact: Nathan Binzen, nbinzen@k12.somerville.ma.us | 617-625-6600 x6900
SCALE is a supportive place where they have the best teachers, materials, and technology to help you achieve your educational goals. Adult Basic Education classes at SCALE focus on improving students' skills in reading, writing, social studies, science, and math so that you will be prepared to pass the HiSET exam (the high school equivalency test) and to enter college. We help students achieve their dreams and become role models for their families and their communities! We offer morning and evening classes.
Cambridgema.gov | 617-349-6363
Cambridge Learning Center's Adult Basic Education (ABE) program offers free math and reading classes, from beginner to high school level to help students prepare to take their HiSet or GED.
The Boston Public Library (BPL) website offers a wealth of online resources. Any resident of Massachusetts can register for a library card. You can use the BPL website to request books, movies, and music, download electronic books on your devices, or view upcoming events at different BPL branches.
CULINARY SKILLS
NECAT is a non-profit organization that helps adults prepare for careers in the food services industry. They offer training, support, and employment services, as well as scholarships and financial aid.
ince 1967, AACA has helped limited English speakers and economically
disadvantaged people achieve economic self-sufficiency through education,
occupational training, and social services. From Weatherization to Diesel Mechanic, AACA offers many courses for a fulfilling career!
Franklin Cummings Tech(also known as Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology) is
a private college of engineering and industrial technologies in Boston,
Massachusetts. This tutorial will go over how you can apply to this institute as well
navigate the website to find necessary resources and information
BEST HTC is a non-profit organization that provides education, skills, and training to hospitality workers in the greater Boston area. The organization offers a variety of programs and services, including pre-employment training, incumbent worker training, English language training, financial literacy training, job placement assistance, health and wellness programs, and advocacy and organizing support.
Clever is a platform that allows students to have one location to find everything they need for educational purposes. It requires your student’s school information to sign in and access these resources.
With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share your creations with others in the online community. Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century. Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is provided free of charge.
College Now/START is an alternative admissions program at UMass Dartmouth that helps academically disadvantaged students prepare for and succeed in college. The program provides academic counseling, instruction, and individualized attention to help students achieve their academic goals. After successfully completing the Fall Academic Program, students become degree candidates and can major in any of UMass Dartmouth's academic programs
The Student Transition and Engagement Program (STEP) at Salem State
University helps first-year students, especially Pell Grant recipients and
first-generation students, adjust to college life and succeed.
Northeastern Foundation Year is a rigorous academic program that prepares
students for success at Northeastern University. Students who complete the program are eligible to matriculate into a degree program in the College of Professional Studies or at one of Northeastern’s seven undergraduate day colleges.